Blackberry Bramble - Gently Spiced

This spiced blackberry bramble cocktail recipe is a simple yet stylish twist on the classic for the cooler months. Teeming with tart fruit and cinnamon spice this winter bramble is one revamp you don't want to miss out on.

This recipe was first published in November 2018 and updated in September 2021 to include step-by-step instructions, tips and frequently asked questions.

This post is sponsored by The Gin Kitchen. All opinions and text are my own.

I have a lot to talk about today. So I'm going to go straight to the headline act, my spiced blackberry bramble, to whet your gin appetite.

This libation is a very simple variation on the classic Bramble. In fact, it has all the ingredients commonly associated with the classic drink plus a hit of juicy spiced syrup to pump up the comfort level. It's perfect for autumn and also winter when it's knee-knocking chilly outside.

As well as the blackberry bramble, I've got 3 seasonal gin and tonics using 3 different kinds of gin from The Gin Kitchen to talk about today, I hope you enjoy reading about them all.

And if you are after a cosy gin drink that is entirely different from this winter bramble take a look at my mulled gin and tonic. It's warm and it's festive. In a nutshell, it's not to be missed.

What is A Bramble Cocktail?

The Bramble cocktail is a British invention, created in 1984 at Fred's Club, London. It's rather like a gin sour with a drizzle of blackberry liqueur on the top.

Ingredients for this classic drink are simple:

• gin
• lemon juice
• sugar syrup
• Crème de mûre

The first 3 ingredients are stirred together with ice then strained into a glass brimming with crushed ice. The blackberry liqueur is slowly poured over the top, creating a striking appearance and adding a sweet contrast to the gin sour below when sipped.

Why This Winter Bramble Variation is Worth Making

• Overall this blackberry bramble is a very chirpy cocktail. It is vibrant & bold and it retains that lip-smacking level of tartness associated with the classic mix
• I decided to break with tradition and blend the Crème de mûre directly into the drink, rather than float it on top. I also muddled fresh blackberry into the drink. This double hit of blackberry creates a brightly coloured and zesty base to build upon
• The addition of spice adds an extra layer of intrigue and helps rev-up the bramble cocktail recipe for winter palates

Ingredients

My gin of choice for this cocktail - Gutsy Monkey - is a premium gin, created with the cooler months of the year in mind, by the ingenious folks at The Gin Kitchen. Think gentle spices mingled with smooth, luxurious gin and you'll be on the right track. Really, it is the perfect candidate for this cinnamon and star anise spiced blackberry bramble cocktail recipe.

I make the spiced syrup using demerara sugar, cinnamon and star anise. The sugar adds complexity to the syrup and the two spices add just the right amount of sweet, aromatic spice to the overall taste of the syrup. It's not overpowering, so is ideal for subtle use in cocktails such as this blackberry bramble.

Step-by-Step Instructions

There are two stages to making this blackberry bramble since a syrup must be cooked and allowed to infuse with spices before the cocktail itself can be made.

Make the Syrup

1. Break up the cinnamon using a pestle and mortar (rough pieces are fine - don't grind it)
2. Put the sugar, water and cinnamon into a small saucepan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves
3. Bring up to simmering point, then take off the heat. Add the star anise and set aside for 2 hours to cool and infuse
4. Strain through muslin and decant into a screwtop bottle
5. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 month

Make the Winter Bramble Cocktail

1. In the base of a glass jug muddle 1 blackberry with the gin, Crème de mûre, lemon juice and syrup until broken down
2. Add ice cubes and stir for 30-40 seconds then double strain the drink into a glass filled with crushed ice 
3. Garnish with a lemon twist, fresh blackberry and a cinnamon stick
4. Serve immediately

Expert Tips

• The spiced syrup can be made in advance and kept in the fridge
• If you don't have the gin I suggest then opt for one that has an underlying profile of spice rather than a citrussy, floral or herbaceous edge to it
• Avoid using flavoured gins (e.g. blackberry gin). Such gins can often be on the sweeter side and they will definitely upskittle the balance of flavours in this drink
• Use plenty of ice when making this winter bramble cocktail. It's necessary both when stirring the ingredients together (use ice cubes) and when serving (use crushed ice)
• If possible chill your serving glass for 15 minutes to ensure the drink is chilled to the bone (so to speak) and to slow down the rate at which the crushed ice melts in the glass
• If you do not own a glass jug use a glass jar instead
• Adjust the level of syrup used in this blackberry bramble to suit your own taste - it's sweet enough for me, but if you prefer it a little sweeter that's fine

Frequently Asked Questions

Three Additional Gin & Tonic Ideas

It's no secret that I enjoy my gin, so it was with pleasure that I devised 3 gin and tonic recipes using 3 different gins from the Gin kitchen. here's a little about each one:

• Autumn/ Winter G&T: Playing up those spice notes in the Gutsy Monkey Winter Gin with honey roast plums and toasted cinnamon, star anise & allspice works a treat. Pull up a comfy chair by the fireside and cosy-up for the night
• Spring/ Early Summer G&T: This is when I want my drinks to be bright, vivacious and playful. All in anticipation of the summer that still lies ahead. A blast of gorgeousness is easily created by pairing Blushing Monkey Pink Gin with raspberries, fresh mint and toasted hazelnuts. It's pleasing on the eye and delivers plenty of intoxicating aromas
• Summer G&T: There's nothing like lingering over a refreshing libation on a lazy summer day. I've paired Dancing Dragontail Gin with fresh grapefruit & bold basil and added a little heat to slow the pace of drinking down with a touch of black pepper. It's a great summer sipper

Find the recipes for all of these gin and tonic ideas in the recipe card for the blackberry bramble below.

More About The Gin Kitchen

I first came across the friendly crew of The Gin Kitchen deep in Surrey on an unusually chilly and wet day in September 2018, when I attended their gin festival with a few friends. Of course, I instantly fell in love with their bottles (who wouldn't). And then I fell in love with their gins:

• The Gutsy Monkey Winter Gin - a full-bodied, rich and smooth spiced gin based on juniper, fresh lime zest, fresh ginger, fresh thyme, allspice, coriander seed, black pepper and a touch of cumin
• The Blushing Monkey Pink Gin - a juniper-led but gorgeously floral gin developed using sweet black grapes. It has a magnificent fruity twist and although it is sweet, it is not overpoweringly so
• The Dancing Dragontail Summer Gin - a base of light fresh juniper is kicked up a notch with aromatic cardamom and zesty pink grapefruit

The bottles are beyond gorgeous - once empty you may want to convert them to candle holders, flower vases or use them as fancy table water bottles. Alternatively, locals can have their bottles refilled at The Gin Kitchen.

More Spiced Cocktails

If you have tried this blackberry bramble cocktail please give it a rating or leave a comment - I love to hear how you get along with my creations.

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